upgrade your 3/8" and 1/2" socket extensions for $1.29

[bimmerZ5]

These magnets are awesome, and a set of 10 is on sale at HFT for $1.29 right now:

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-rare-earth-magnets-67488.html

And all you need is a little bit of:

Now, use the super glue to glue the magnets to your extensions. The magnets are 5/16 in diameter, so won't work for 1/4" drive, but perfect for 3/8" and 1/2". I used my shortest extensions only. If I need them on longer extensions, I can put the short one on the long one for similar effect:

In order to reach through the 1/2" sockets, i doubled up on the 1/2" extension:

The resulting effect:

and a shot without the socket in the way:

if it's too much hassle, you can always buy the Gearwrench equivalent for $14:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M0O1E8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Krokodil]

Nice idea. Does it still seat properly?

 

[Buckgnarly]

Dammit, one of the few times I wish I had a HF nearby, GREAT idea!

 

[zjrog]

Certainly worth it for some of my extensions. That, and I just love playing with magnets anyway!!!

 

[Mustang1167]

Ill have to pick some of these up when i get my side locker. Maybe ill grind one down n fit it to the 1/4 . Good idea

 

[barcalo]

Most likely the best product HF sells. That and tarps. I can not find american (or even non Chinese made tarps or rare earth magnets)

 

[geologist]

That's a pretty good idea. China has a strangle hold on rare Earth elements.

 

[yasha32]

China has a strangle hold on rare Earth elements.

That is hilarious to read, I know it shouldn't be though.

Great idea with the magnets, I've always jammed some paper in between to do this; I may transfer over to this though.

 

[volpster31]

this is just what im looking for...i bought the gearwrench set,but theres no 3/8 to 3/8 adapter which is what i need..only 1/2 to 3/8 . im the anti-china guy and i dont like hf,but im gonna get these(unless theres a u.s equivilent)

 

[RangerDaleXp]

Stacey David showed this on Gearz last week and considered doing this as well...

 

[geologist]

this is just what im looking for...i bought the gearwrench set,but theres no 3/8 to 3/8 adapter which is what i need..only 1/2 to 3/8 . im the anti-china guy and i dont like hf,but im gonna get these(unless theres a u.s equivilent)

You can find neodymium magnets in bulk on fleabay, but they're straight out of China. I know there is a company out of Mansfield, OH that makes rolled magnetic material, but I don't know if they make other magnets as well.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Nice idea. Does it still seat properly?

if you mean does the glue hold the magnet, then yes... if you mean does it hold if i dip it in oil, gasoline, brake fluid, piss water, then i don't know... haven't tried. but once the glue dried, you can't just peel the magnet off with your fingers, at least not mine.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Stacey David showed this on Gearz last week and considered doing this as well...

is she hot?

 

[DrunkSmurf]

Stacey David showed this on Gearz last week and considered doing this as well...

Watched that episode myself and wondered at the time if this idea had been posted on here.
Good idea and glad someone posted it up to remind me of something I already forgot...lol

 

[gtixpress]

is she hot?

Haha. Stacey is a guy..

 

[RangerDaleXp]

is she hot?

Funny, You must have never seen the shows...

 

[RangerDaleXp]

I would only do a couple of extensions and maybe one ratchet because some sockets like HEXs and TORXs will not work with the modified tools.

 

[bimmerZ5]

Haha. Stacey is a guy..

Funny, You must have never seen the shows...

huh? so "he" is some sort of tool fanatic ****** named Stacy?

 

[Trucky]

huh? so "he" is some sort of tool fanatic ****** named Stacy?

I believe he was on Horsepower and a few other shows as well. Decent guy IMO. Wouldn't make much of a ******.

 

[bimmerZ5]

I believe he was on Horsepower and a few other shows as well. Decent guy IMO. Wouldn't make much of a ******.

oh well, my hopes of a ********* who's into tools is shattered. ;-P

i'll have to look him up and check it out.

 

[RangerDaleXp]

huh? so "he" is some sort of tool fanatic ****** named Stacy?

He used to be the host of trucks till they got rid of him. Not really a Trainee

 

[Trucky]

oh well, my hopes of a ********* who's into tools is shattered. ;-P

LOL I don't really have that problem but I wish you good luck


Oh, and for anyone without a HF near them, I'll buy stuff for you and ship it at cost, if you'd like. I have one down the road.

 

[bimmerZ5]

LOL I don't really have that problem but I wish you good luck

well, now you have to clarify that statement a bit. does that mean you already have a hot girl who's into tools OR you just don't have a desire for a hot girl who's into tools? OR you're not into girls? LOL

 

[Trucky]

well, now you have to clarify that statement a bit. does that mean you already have a hot girl who's into tools OR you just don't have a desire for a hot girl who's into tools? OR you're not into girls? LOL

Rainbows everywhere

 

[geologist]

huh? so "he" is some sort of tool fanatic ****** named Stacy?

-Has 1970s/1980s hair.
-Started out small.
-Loves Cornwell tools.
-Built a badass truck (Sgt. Rock)

 

[RKA]

Another similar option is available at Sears (well, that's where I got it years ago). Plastic inserts that are press fit into the sockets with a magnet in the middle of the plastic. I don't remember what they called them, but they were sold as a set, each piece sized to a particular socket. I remember them being about $10 or so (regular price). Unfortunately these weren't useful if you're using a bit socket, then I resorted to tape.

 

[bimmerZ5]

-Has 1970s/1980s hair.
-Started out small.
-Loves Cornwell tools.
-Built a badass truck (Sgt. Rock)

dude, he may be cool and build great stuff, but that's a total ***** biter. i was thinking more like:

 

[JASTECH]

Can these be ordered and shipped?

If not, would a member be willing to buy & ship for those of us w/o HF closer then 100+ miles?

 

[bimmerZ5]

Can these be ordered and shipped?

If not, would a member be willing to buy & ship for those of us w/o HF closer then 100+ miles?

HFT will ship it for about $7. I wouldn't mind picking up one for you the next time i'm there or anotehr HFT store. it can probably be shipped 1st class mail for less than $1. I think someone else in this thread offered too and may be closer to a HFT than I.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Not sure if you should ship powerful little magnets in the mail. My guess is they rip right out of the envelope when going through the envelope sorting machine.

 

[Trucky]

Oh, and for anyone without a HF near them, I'll buy stuff for you and ship it at cost, if you'd like. I have one down the road.

If not, would a member be willing to buy & ship for those of us w/o HF closer then 100+ miles?

Yep!

I'll be making a run in an hr or so... want anything?

 

[Danglerb]

Ebay has thousands of magnets for sale, cheap, maybe cheaper than most of us could even ship them if HF was free. Link is for 8 pcs 4mm cubes, shipped total is $1.49.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=140715187726

 

[bob15]

An American made way:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-6pc-MAGNETIC-Ratchet-Extension-Adapter-Socket-Set-1-4-3-8-1-2-NEW-/120871460524?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1c24801eac&vxp=mtr

With a lifetime warranty.

 

[bimmerZ5]

An American made way:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Snap-On-6pc-MAGNETIC-Ratchet-Extension-Adapter-Socket-Set-1-4-3-8-1-2-NEW-/120871460524?pt=Motors_Automotive_Tools&hash=item1c24801eac&vxp=mtr

With a lifetime warranty.

that's kind of funny and sad all at the same time $1.29 vs. $139.99. That's more than 100x...

 

[JASTECH]

Trucky, Yes please. I would like 3 packs of those earth maginets. Let me know. TIA!

 

[Trucky]

Trucky, Yes please. I would like 3 packs of those earth maginets. Let me know. TIA!

I only picked up two and left earlier than your message was posted, so I'll go back and get a few more.

 

[chappys4life]

Is there a smaller size magnet that fits the 1/4"? I would like to do this on my extensions.

 

[timtaylor]

if you mean does the glue hold the magnet, then yes... if you mean does it hold if i dip it in oil, gasoline, brake fluid, piss water, then i don't know... haven't tried. but once the glue dried, you can't just peel the magnet off with your fingers, at least not mine.

i think they meant, does the socket seat properly on the extension? does the ball detent still do its thing?

 

[ajchien]

I just throw a magnet onto the top inside of my socket. Never thought of permanently attaching it to a extension. Neat.

 

[bw77]

Another similar option is available at Sears (well, that's where I got it years ago). Plastic inserts that are press fit into the sockets with a magnet in the middle of the plastic. I don't remember what they called them, but they were sold as a set, each piece sized to a particular socket. I remember them being about $10 or so (regular price). Unfortunately these weren't useful if you're using a bit socket, then I resorted to tape.

I got this set many years ago, have used them inside sockets.